WORCESTER city councillors have pledged a major crackdown on the "yobbish" and anti-social behaviour of the city's pub and club goers after viewing "shocking" CCTV footage.

They were stunned by scenes of drunken revellers brawling, urinating and vomiting in the city centre caught by the security cameras.

Chairman of the council's licensing committee, Councillor David Clark, said the CCTV footage he and other members watched was "so disgusting and pathetic as to beggar belief".

He has warned pub and club owners that when the authority takes control of liquor licensing, under new legislation due to become law next month, they can expect a "tough new stance".

"The whole committee was deeply shocked by the scenes of late-night Worcester," he said.

They witnessed several incidents of men and women openly urinating in the street, drunken women vomiting over railings and incidents of fighting.

Coun Clark said virtually all the scenes they saw were alcohol-fuelled.

"Citizens and visitors should not expect to have to view such scenes of filth, rubbish and, particularly, mindless yobbish conduct anywhere - least of all an historic city such as Worcester," Coun Clark said.

Under the new legislation the council has to draw up a licensing policy over the next 18 months, in consultation with the police, licensees and other interested parties.

Measures the council can consider include blocking licences in areas thought to have enough late-night drinking venues, requiring pubs and clubs to operate a proof-of-age scheme, restricting drinks promotions and restricting opening hours.

A spokeswoman for West Mercia Constabulary said Worcester's problems were no more severe than other towns and cities and, in fact, the number of reported incidents of disorder had dropped in the last year.

City centre pubs and clubs said they were willing to work with the council and police to tackle any problems.

Philip Bates, senior manager of Tramps nightclub, in Angel Place, said it was in their interest to support the council's stance because anti-social behaviour put people off visiting venues.

"All the pubs and clubs already work together, with the police, to put off trouble makers," he said.